National media has failed to recognize Seahawks' rise

	Fullback Mack Strong has fueled the NFL's third-best rushing offense. Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images

By Nunyo Demasio, SI.com

A bevy of reporters trudged past Mack Strong last Sunday afternoon as he changed in the bowels of Monster Park following Seattle's 27-25 road win over the 49ers. He was quietly changing in the locker sandwiched between running back Shaun Alexander and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

Alexander leads all players in Pro Bowl voting thus far; his 19 touchdowns -- including two against the 49ers -- are an NFL record through 10 games. And Hasselbeck, one of the NFC's best quarterbacks, guides Seattle's top-ranked offense.

Strong is naturally anonymous as an NFL fullback, and his unfamiliarity around the NFL is cemented by playing for the only professional football team in the Pacific Northwest. Nonetheless, Seattle's offense wouldn't be as potent without the perfunctory, strong performances of their little-known fullback. Strong embodies the white-hot Seahawks, who have played with little fanfare despite an 8-2 record atop the NFC.

"He's an anonymous guy," says offensive coordinator Gil Haskell. "But he's a true, true Seahawk -- a legitimate, very good player."

The Seahawks appear to be a very good team, albeit an anonymous one, when contrasting their publicity to their record. Behind a potent offense and a resurgent, young defense, Seattle has won six straight games. The 'Hawks can clinch the NFC West as soon as Sunday with a home victory over the Giants, coupled with a Rams loss.

Only the Colts, shooting for a perfect record, have a better mark. The Seahawks, however, have been overshadowed by several teams in the NFC with inferior records: the Cowboys (7-4), Giants, Panthers, even the Bears -- all 7-3.

One factor in the discrepancy is that journalists who cover the NFL nationally seem to act as if Seattle is a far-flung locale. (After signing with the Washington Redskins before the 2004 season, cornerback Shawn Springs described Seattle as the equivalent of playing in Egypt.)

Last week, the Seahawks drew visits from several national publications -- including Sports Illustrated for an Alexander feature -- but Hasselbeck ribbed the media for the belated attention.

"It's Week 10 and this is the first time that anyone from New York has come out to see our team," groused Hasselbeck, who is headed toward becoming the first quarterback in club history to pass for at least 3,000 yards in four straight seasons. "We're not a direct flight from anywhere. So the only time [national reporters] come out is if they've got family out here, or they are in town to interview Ichiro."